Rep. Gary Peters' team announces Senate campaign manager

LANSING (AP) -- Rep. Gary Peters' campaign for U.S. Senate is kicking into full-gear with the announcement of his campaign manager.

Julie Ann Petrick is expected to announce her role as the Democratic congressman's campaign manager Tuesday.

Peters is running to fill the U.S. Senate seat opening up with the retirement of Carl Levin. Peters is from Bloomfield Township in Oakland County, a suburban Detroit bellwether important to winning a statewide race.

Petrick is returning to Peters' team having managed his first federal campaign in 2008 when he won against 16-year incumbent Joe Knollenberg. In 2006, she worked on Florida Congressman Ron Klein's successful campaign against a 26-year congressional incumbent.

In Oct. 2009, Petrick joined EMILY's List, an organization that supports the election of Democratic women who support abortion rights.